PADUCAH, Ky. (7/2/13) – A Hispanic couple living in Paducah spends most if not every weekend on the road doing God’s work to spread the gospel.

Antonio Santos and his wife, Ada, have served as missionaries for nearly 10 years, and felt called to develop relationships with churches in other parts of western Kentucky after the Baptist Association located in Mayfield contacted them about helping lead a Hispanic ministry.

Santos said the work began in Paducah, where he and his wife established a mission that now serves as many as 100 people. Two years ago, they began working through the aid of their son, Jonathan, and his wife, Lori, to set up a mission at the First Baptist Church in Henderson. With the support of the leadership and church pastor Dodd Lynn, the mission in Henderson has grown into a service that worships to between 40 and 50 people weekly.

More recently, Santos said Lynn introduced him to Owensboro’s Pleasant Valley Community Church Pastor Jamus Edwards, and the two began to discuss the possibility of establishing a third Hispanic mission under the Santos’ leadership. The mission held its first service at the church on Pleasant Valley Rd. in early June, and has been working to expand ever since.

“We are praying for every opportunity,” Santos said.

Among the efforts Santos said he and his wife have taken on were the placing of posters in prominent locations for local Hispanics, visiting Mexican restaurants, and encouraging people who attend the services to invite family and friends to come with them.